Kang Chiao International School (KCIS)
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$16K - US$22K
Curriculum: IB · American
Age Range: 12-18
Students: ~1,100
Location: Xindian, New Taipei City, Taipei
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If your child thrives in a structured, exam-focused environment and you want both IB and AP on one campus with boarding available, KCIS is one of the few schools in Taiwan that can deliver that. Confirm fees directly - they are not published online, and costs vary by grade.
KCIS occupies a specific niche in Taiwan's international school market: a high-achieving, IB-and-AP school that serves a predominantly Taiwanese student body (roughly 96% Taiwanese nationals) with a genuine international programme overlay. The academic results are serious - 95% of AP candidates scored 3 or above in 2025 across 960 exams, and the IB DP pass rate hit 87% in May 2025 against a world average of 81%. College placements include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and University of Tokyo. This is not a school coasting on its international badge.
The experiential learning programme is the most genuinely distinctive thing about KCIS among Taipei-area schools. Students climb Taiwan's high mountains, cycle the coastline, and swim Sun Moon Lake as part of a structured outdoor curriculum - not an optional enrichment trip. The Xindian campus is about 30-40 minutes from central Taipei, which matters: it is not near an MRT station, and families in Xinyi or Da'an should factor in the commute. Boarding is available on campus, which is relevant for families posted elsewhere in Taiwan or for teenagers from Taipei families who want the full residential experience.
The student body is international by curriculum but not by nationality - if your family is specifically seeking a cosmopolitan, multi-passport environment, the 18% international enrolment may feel more homogeneous than schools like TAS or TES. Fees are not published on the school website, which is worth flagging: budget estimates of NT$512K-NT$704K per year are indicative only, drawn from market comparisons; the real figures require a direct conversation with admissions.
What parents value
- –Both IB Diploma and AP on one campus - rare in Taiwan. Results in both programmes are strong: 87% IB pass rate, 95% AP 3+ rate (2025).
- –Boarding option on the Xindian campus. Useful for families who are often travelling, or for students who want the residential experience without leaving Taiwan.
- –159 clubs and a structured experiential learning programme that includes climbing, cycling, and open-water swimming. More genuinely active than most academic-track schools.
Points of consideration
- –Xindian location is 30-40 minutes from central Taipei with no direct MRT connection. Budget time and transport costs carefully.
- –96% Taiwanese nationality mix. The academic programme is international, but the social environment will be predominantly Taiwanese - a positive for some families, a constraint for others.
- –Fees are not publicly available. Confirm directly with the school before factoring KCIS into your budget comparison.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 7 | 12 | NaN |
| Grade 8 | 13 | NaN |
| Grade 9 | 14 | NaN |
| Grade 10 | 15 | NaN |
| Grade 11 | 16 | NaN |
| Grade 12 | 17 | NaN |
Fees converted from TWD. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | NaN |
| Registration Fee (one-time) | NaN |
Academic Results
| AP 2025 | 95% scored 3+ across 960 exams; 55% scored 5 |
| IB DP May 2025 | 87% pass rate (world avg 81.3%), school avg 31 pts |
| SAT 2025 | Mean combined 1400; middle 50% range 1330-1490 |
KCIS is one of the only schools in Taiwan to offer both IB Diploma and AP in a single institution. Both programmes are well-established: the school has held IBO authorisation for the IB MYP and DP since 2015, and WASC accreditation since 2024. AP results are strong - 55% of candidates scored 5 in 2025, with 95% at 3 or above across nearly a thousand exams.
University placements include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, CMU, and leading UK institutions. The school's college counselling team covers US, UK, Canadian, and Japanese university applications. Average class size is around 25, which is larger than the smallest international schools in Taipei but manageable for motivated students.
Extra Curriculars
Extra-curricular activities: 159+
Facilities: Campus in Xindian mountain area · Boarding dormitories · Sports facilities · AP and IB classrooms
KCIS runs 159 clubs at the Xiugang campus, covering academic, cultural, and sports activities across many disciplines. The experiential learning programme is integrated into the curriculum: students undertake mountain hikes, a Sun Moon Lake swim, and a Taiwan coastal cycling trip as part of their education rather than as optional extras.
The campus is set in Xindian District, in the foothills south of Taipei. It is a quieter, greener setting than the urban campuses closer to the city centre. Boarding is available for students from across Taiwan and internationally. Ask the school about transport arrangements from central Taipei when you visit.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- WASC accreditation (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) since 2024
- IBO authorised for IB MYP and IB Diploma Programme since 2015
Accreditations
- WASC
Memberships
- IBO
Student Body
Approximately 1,100 students are enrolled at the Xiugang campus, with a nationality breakdown of roughly 96% Taiwanese, 1.6% American, and a small proportion of other nationalities. The school explicitly positions itself as serving both internationally mobile families and Taiwanese families seeking an international qualification pathway.
The campus has boarding accommodation for students who need or prefer a residential option. This broadens the catchment area and gives the school a slightly different community dynamic from day schools.
Leadership
Yuchi Wen
Principal of Kang Chiao International School Xiugang Campus. Contact the school for current leadership details.